Making Straight Paths

Lestat's Coffee House.
A 24 hour coffee place decked out with vintage furniture and strange pieces of art. This being my fourth time to be here in the last few weeks, I decided to take the time to post. Yes, I'm still poor, but this cheesecake, coffee, and atmosphere is worth it. Not to mention the 5 other girls who joined me tonight.

Today was the last day for me to evangelize on the campus of University of California at San Diego. I have enjoyed the conversations I've had there. The campus is dark spiritually, but most students are eager to talk about deep issues and spirituality. I have had conversations with some pretty darn smart people such as a neuroscience research graduate student. I love it. I love showing the simple truth of the Gospel to science intellectuals who think they know it all. I love sharing God's truth on a campus that elevates human knowledge above all (its library is modeled after the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, for goodness sake!). I'll miss UCSD for sure.

Many of the things that have been happening this summer can't be recorded in a public blog, or even words. God is opening my eyes to struggles that I never thought I owned. It has been a grueling summer, but I know that my perfect Father is disciplining me. This is love. "Have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? 'My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.' It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?... Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed." (Hebrews 12:5-7,12-13) These verses have become the theme for my summer here.

God has blessed me in incredible ways. I have a coffee and cheesecake filled stomach, a new accountability partner sitting next to me, new music (The Lumineers), and a deep comfort and contentment that comes with loving discipline.

All I Need Is Bread And Water

It's been a while! I blame it on the fact that I've had to live like a pauper the past couple weeks. I've been bumming coffee off one of my friends here on project, so I do not find myself around access to the internet very often. But I have good news: I got a job! It is a huge answer to prayer. I start tomorrow full time. It is a souvenir and surf shop close to where I am living. So convenient.

I do not have much to say for today, but I do want to encourage you to look at something that really encouraged me yesterday. I don't want to explain everything I got out of this because, well, it is a lot. Simply compare John 6-7 and Exodus 16-17. I hope it moves you like it has been moving me. Comment with any thoughts!

If you have been praying, continue to pray for support to come in for my fellow team members and myself. I'm not there yet! Also pray that my mind will be engaged for the last month here. It has been a difficult few days and I'm ready to get out of my selfishness!